Syrian Refugees Play Soccer With Calgary Police

Language barriers didn't stop Calgary police officers and Syrian refugees from facing off in a friendly soccer match on Monday.

"It is kind of a welcome to Canada and a discussion of how, in this case, what we have in common is a love of the game," Sgt. Graeme Smiley told CBC News.

The Syrian Soccer Sons team is made up of boys aged 10 to 19 who practice a few times each week.

"... what we have in common is a love of the game."

Some of the players were sitting in refugee camps just a few months ago.

“This is not a field of soccer,” said Sam Nammoura of the Calgary Syrian Refugee Support Group to Global News. “This is a field of dreams.”

Members of the Syrian Soccer Sons practice in advance of Monday's soccer game in Calgary. (Photo: Sam Nammoura)

The game was played ahead of the North American Police Soccer Tournament, taking place from Sept. 7 to 9 in Calgary. The Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team came up with the idea for the practice match as a way to engage the community.

“Sport has an incredible ability to bring people together,” Const. Kelly Mergen said in a release. “It’s a place people from all communities can find common ground.”